Promoting respect for the Philippine Constitution

THE nation marks on February 2, 2017, the 30th anniversary of the ratification of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Pursuant to Proclamation No. 211 on January 28, 1988, Philippine Constitution Day seeks to instill in the hearts and minds of the Filipino people democratic principles and the noble and lofty ideals enshrined in the Constitution, as well as to strengthen patriotism, good citizenship, active participation in socio-economic and political development, and respect for the rule of law.

The 1987 Constitution, which came into force on February 11, 1987, was approved by the 1986 Constitutional Commission on October 12, 1986, and was ratified in a national plebiscite on February 2, 1987. It established the Philippines as a democratic and republican state, providing for separation of powers in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Filipinos’ rights and privileges as well as equal protection are enshrined in the articles on the Bill of Rights, Suffrage, Citizenship.

The Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) leads the commemoration. Composed of distinguished jurists, lawyers, academicians, political practitioners, public servants, and civic spirited citizens who have sworn to protect and respect all the rights enshrined in the Philippine Constitution, Philconsa rallies Filipinos to defend, respect, and preserve the Constitution. It provides inputs on legal issues that are used for research, opinions and studies.

The Philippine Constitution has been rewritten several times, starting with the 1812 Cadiz Constitution during the Spanish time, the revolutionary 1897 Biak-na-Bato Constitution, the 1898 Malolos Constitution framed by leaders of the Philippine Revolution, the 1935 Charter of the Commonwealth Era, the 1973 Constitution of the martial law years, and 1986 Freedom Constitution.

Philippine Constitution Day is traced to the 1934 Tydings-McDuffie Law which formed the Commonwealth government, and the Constitutional Convention (Con-con) on October 1, 1934, to draft a Constitution for Filipinos. Con-con delegates convened on July 30, 1934, and had their final session on February 8, 1935. United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt approved the draft of the Philippine Constitution on March 23, 1935. The Filipino people ratified it as the 1935 Philippine Constitution on May 14, 1935.